Why are some substance biodegradable and some non biodegradable

Table of Contents • • • • • • • • • • Difference Between Non-Biodegradable And Biodegradable Material The primary difference between non biodegradable and biodegradable material lies in how it decomposes. At every tick-tock of the clock, various industries, factories, and farms around us produce billions of solid materials. Later on, these materials get shipped to the different consumption points where they are expected to serve their purpose. Anything that exists around us is either a biodegradable material or a non-biodegradable material. From the Technology advancements have eased our lives by birthing an innovative form of life, but on the other hand, erratically affecting the environment and other life-systems. For instance, the plastic water bottles are convenient, but their disposal is a veritable demise to the environment. The knowledge of the two forms of materials will significantly ensure that the Additionally, with the heightened ecological conservation awareness, it is quite crucial to understand the difference between non-biodegradable and biodegradable material. What is Biodegradable Material? A biodegradable material refers to any substance that can quickly decay or instead breakdown naturally. Agents that facilitate this natural breakdown process include bacteria, microorganisms, sunlight, air, soil, water, ozone, and many more natural agents. The biodegradable materials are generally natural substances, and they happen to be non-toxic. Biodegradable waste...

Some substances which are degraded and broken down into simpler substances by the microorganisms, are called biodegradable substances. For example: Cotton, wood, paper, wool, etc. Substance (mainly man-made) that do not degraded or broken down into simpler substances by the action of enzymes secreted by microorganisms are called non-biodegradable substances. For example: Plastic, polythene, DDT, etc. For more answers visit to website: Substances are classified as biodegradable and non-biodegradable because some substances can be decomposed by microorganisms and some cannot. Substances that are broken down into simple soluble forms are called biodegradable substances and the substances that are not decomposed by microorganisms into harmless substances are called non biodegradable substances. The microorganism like bacteria and other decomposer organisms (called saprophytes) present In our environment are specific in their action. They break down the materials or products made from natural materials (say, paper) but do not break down man-made materials such as plastics. So, it is due to the property of decomposer organisms of being specific in their action that some waste materials are biodegradable, whereas others are non-biodegradable. Biodegradable substances are those substances on which micro-organisms like bacteria or decomposers act and break down these substances into simpler compounds, example of Biodegradable substances are dead remains of plants and animals and th...

The waste materials that we generate in our daily life are either biodegradable and nonbiodegradable. In our environment, microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi secrete enzymes to degrade substances. Organic compounds, present in the dead remains of plants and animals and their waste products can be degraded into simpler harmless substances by biological processes and microorganism. These wastes are termed as biodegradable. On the other hand, certain category of wastes like plastics, glass, etc. cannot be degraded by microorganisms or biological processes. These wastes persists in the environment and are termed as non biodegradable.

One of the side effects of technology advances is the inability of nature to decompose substances humans create. For example, polythene used in shopping bags is non-biodegradable -- it doesn't beak down naturally in landfills. Non-biodegradable waste can last for centuries and cause environmental problems that affect more than just the land. When something is biodegradable, soil, air or moisture decompose it so that it becomes part of the land. Bacteria, fungi and other decomposers break down dead organisms in a natural process that keeps dead material from covering the planet. While most biodegradable substances consist of animal or plant material, humans can create products that decompose, such as egg cartons and paper bags. If a company produces biodegradable plastic, decomposers break down the plastic's complex organic molecules into simpler inorganic compounds. In May of 2014, Stanford University scientists and Mango Materials teamed up to develop a biodegradable plastic made from waste methane gas. Effects on Marine Life Non-biodegradable plastic containers in oceans and estuaries can harm fish, seabirds and other marine life. Animals that eat plastic can strangle or experience digestion problems. Microplastics, tiny bits of polypropylene or polyethylene, hide beneath the water and pose a risk as well. As of September 2014, Virginia Institute of Marine Science researchers were developing biodegradable microbeads that break down when microbes in seawater consume them....

Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Substances Sustainable living is a way of life that aims to inculcate the habit of living in such a way that it leaves the least amount of carbon footprint possible. It basically attempts to reduce an individual’s and the society’s misuse of the Earth’s natural resources and personal resources by changing methods of energy consumption, transportation, and diet. Everything around us is either biodegradable or non-biodegradable. Banana peels, leaves, and most other food materials are examples of biodegradable material while plastics, cans, and Styrofoam are not biodegradable. There are times when one might be confused whether something is biodegradable or non-biodegradable and that’s a risk to take since it poses a threat to the environment. Therefore, knowing what biodegradable and non-biodegradable are can help prevent pollution. Separating wastes the right way goes a long way in providing a solution to these environmental issues. What are Biodegradable Wastes? Biodegradable means that a substance can be easily decomposed by naturally occurring agents such as oxygen, water, ultraviolet rays, microbes, acid rains, etc. For instance, when a banana peel or any other chopped vegetables and other food items is left in the open, several harmful micro-organisms, including bacteria, fungi or small insects act upon it in a relatively short period of time. This is because, the natural elements like moisture, oxygen and heat help in the dec...

Substances are classified as biodegradable and non-biodegradable because some substances can be decomposed by microorganisms and some cannot. Substances that are broken down into simple soluble forms are called biodegradable substances For example: Cotton, wood, paper, wool, etc. the substances that are not decomposed by microorganisms into harmless substances are called non biodegradable substances. For example: Plastic, polythene, DDT, etc.